Stephen King calls for a sequel to Claire Keegan's Small Things Like These

It's a welcome comfort when a writer as legendary as Stephen King validates a home truth among many readers: that biting hunger upon finishing an incredible novel. Especially when that novel is written by Claire Keegan.

On Tuesday, author Stephen King took to X to rave about Keegan's harrowing novel Small Things Like These, calling the work "A perfect little jewel box of a story."

SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE, by Claire Keegan: A perfect little jewel box of a story. There just isn’t enough. I want to know what happens to Bill and Eileen (C’mon Eileen) and the girl from the convent. Time for a sequel.

— Stephen King (@StephenKing) March 5, 2024

"There just isn’t enough. I want to know what happens to Bill and Eileen (C’mon Eileen) and the girl from the convent," he continues. "Time for a sequel."

American comedian and actor Rob Delaney also chimed in, wryly disagreeing with King's appeal for a follow-up.

Perfect indeed. I want to be like Claire Keegan. I don’t want a sequel though. I want to writhe in exquisite pain imagining what happened next & never find out. https://t.co/cK6xvDXcri

— rob delaney (@robdelaney) March 6, 2024

While a Small Things Like These anthology series seems a bit far off right now, the film adaptation is set for release this year, having recently debuted at Berlinale Film Festival.

Directed by Tim Mielants and penned by Enda Walsh, the film delves into the harrowing realities of the Magdalene laundries. Cillian Murphy plays the leading role as Bill Furlong, a coal merchant and father, who lives next door to a convent-turned-laundry. From there, Furlong slowly unravels the horrifying secrets in his town as he unfolds his own shocking truths.

As of now, a theatrical release date for Small Things Like These is not yet known, but critics have praised the adaptation for its absorbing drama and faithfulness to the novel.

One reviewer from the Guardian called it a "committed drama," saying "I was so rapt, so caught up in this film, that I wasn't aware that it was going to be the ending until the screen faded to black."

As such, one might expect similar calls for a Small Things Like These film franchise, as with the novel, once it hits theaters. In the meantime, you can watch the enthralling trailer below.